What is LTL shipping?

LTL (less-than-truckload) shipping moves smaller freight that shares trailer space with other shipments. It is cost-effective for loads of roughly one to six pallets that do not need a full trailer.

What is FTL shipping?

FTL (full truckload) shipping dedicates an entire trailer to a single shipment. It is faster and involves fewer touches, making it a good fit for high-volume, fragile, or time-sensitive freight.

What are accessorial charges?

Accessorials are added services beyond standard pickup and delivery—such as liftgate, residential or limited-access delivery, inside delivery, and appointment scheduling—that add cost to a shipment.

A SCAC (Standard Carrier Alpha Code) is a short, unique code used to identify carriers on shipping documents, in TMS platforms, and in customs records so quotes, tracking, and paperwork stay consistent.

What documents are commonly used in freight shipping?

Common freight documents include the Bill of Lading (BOL), Proof of Delivery (POD), commercial invoice, packing list, and—for cross-border moves—customs paperwork and a certificate of origin when applicable.

Shipping Guide: Everything to Know About Freight, Trucking, and Shipping

Freight fundamentals & SCAC codes—simplified.

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1) Shipping Basics

What is Freight Shipping? Transporting goods by land, sea, or air.
LTL vs FTL: LTL shares a trailer with other shipments; FTL occupies the entire trailer for faster transit and minimal handling.
Trucking vs Other Modes: Trucking for short-to-medium distances; Rail for long distances/large volumes; Air is fastest; Ocean is best for large quantities.

BOL (Bill of Lading)

A legal document that serves as a receipt of goods, contract of carriage, and document of title.

POD (Proof of Delivery)

A document confirming that a shipment has been successfully delivered to the intended recipient.

Accessorials

Additional services beyond standard pickup and delivery, such as liftgate service or inside delivery.

NMFC Codes

National Motor Freight Classification codes used to categorize freight for shipping purposes.

Freight Class

A standardized classification system used to categorize freight based on density, stowability, handling, and liability.

FOB (Free On Board)

A term indicating when liability and ownership of goods transfers from seller to buyer.

2) Types of Freight Services

LTL (Less-than-Truckload)

Ideal for smaller loads that don’t require a full trailer.

FTL (Full Truckload)

Best when your shipment fills an entire trailer—faster and with less handling.

Intermodal & Multimodal

Combines modes like rail + truck for cost-efficiency.

Expedited & Same-Day

Time-critical deliveries with priority handling.

Refrigerated (Reefer)

Temperature-controlled shipping for perishables.

Hazmat & Oversized

Special handling, permits, and equipment for complex loads.

3) Understanding SCAC Codes

A SCAC (Standard Carrier Alpha Code) is a unique two-to-four-letter code that identifies a transportation carrier across shipping documents, TMS platforms, EDI messages, and customs records. Using the correct SCAC keeps your quotes, tracking, and paperwork consistent from booking to delivery.

How to read a SCAC code

Codes ending in U usually identify containerized ocean carriers.
Codes ending in X identify privately owned rail cars.
Codes ending in Z often mark chassis or intermodal equipment providers.

How to find a carrier’s SCAC

Check the carrier’s website, rate sheet, or Bill of Lading.
Confirm it in writing with your carrier representative.
Search the SCAC code list in the sidebar by carrier name or code.

Common SCAC codes by mode

Ocean

Maersk — MAEU
MSC — MSCU
CMA CGM — CMDU
Hapag-Lloyd — HLCU

LTL / Trucking

FedEx Freight — FXFE
Old Dominion — ODFL
Estes Express — EXLA
ABF Freight — ABFS

Rail

Union Pacific — UP
BNSF Railway — BNSF
CSX — CSXT
Canadian National — CN

Always confirm a carrier’s SCAC directly before using it on shipping documents.

4) Frequently Asked Questions

What is LTL shipping?: LTL (less-than-truckload) shipping moves smaller freight that shares trailer space with other shipments. It is cost-effective for loads of roughly one to six pallets that do not need a full trailer.
What is FTL shipping?: FTL (full truckload) shipping dedicates an entire trailer to a single shipment. It is faster and involves fewer touches, making it a good fit for high-volume, fragile, or time-sensitive freight.
What are accessorial charges?: Accessorials are added services beyond standard pickup and delivery—such as liftgate, residential or limited-access delivery, inside delivery, and appointment scheduling—that add cost to a shipment.
What is a SCAC code?: A SCAC (Standard Carrier Alpha Code) is a short, unique code used to identify carriers on shipping documents, in TMS platforms, and in customs records so quotes, tracking, and paperwork stay consistent.
What documents are commonly used in freight shipping?: Common freight documents include the Bill of Lading (BOL), Proof of Delivery (POD), commercial invoice, packing list, and—for cross-border moves—customs paperwork and a certificate of origin when applicable.

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SCAC Code List & Lookup

Search the Standard Carrier Alpha Codes (SCAC) for common ocean, trucking, and rail carriers, updated for 2026.

Search SCAC codes by carrier name or code

AllCarrier nameSCAC code

Showing 30 of 30 carriers

SCAC code lookup for freight carriers
Carrier Name	SCAC Code
Atlantic Container Line (ACL)	ACLU
Alianza	ANRM
Alaska Marine Lines (AML)	AKMR
Australia National Line (ANL)	ANNU
American President Lines (APL)	APLU
Arkas Container Transport S.A. (Arkas)	ARUU
CMA CGM	CMDU
COSCO Shipping Lines	COSU
Evergreen Marine	EGLV
Hapag-Lloyd	HLCU
Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM)	HDMU
Maersk Line	MAEU
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)	MSCU
Ocean Network Express (ONE)	ONEY
OOCL (Orient Overseas Container Line)	OOLU
Matson Navigation	MATS
Yang Ming Marine Transport	YMLU
ZIM Integrated Shipping	ZIMU
FedEx Freight	FXFE
Old Dominion Freight Line	ODFL
Estes Express Lines	EXLA
ABF Freight	ABFS
Saia Motor Freight Line	SAIA
R+L Carriers	RLCA
TForce Freight (formerly UPS Freight)	UPGF
Union Pacific Railroad	UP
BNSF Railway	BNSF
CSX Transportation	CSXT
Canadian National Railway	CN
Canadian Pacific Kansas City	CP

Tip: Codes ending with “U” typically identify container carriers. Codes ending with “X” identify privately owned rail cars. Always confirm a carrier’s SCAC directly before using it on shipping documents.

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